Good afternoon, and welcome to the Maryland State House.
As we move toward the end of bill signing season, I want to take one last look back at the challenges we overcame this year, together. Because this wasn’t just a legislative session of challenge – it was a session of change.
The obstacles we were up against didn’t change month to month – or week to week. They changed day to day.
Over three months, we endured the firing of thousands of government workers through Elon Musk’s DOGE project.
We endured the launch of an unnecessary and ideological trade war with our allies.
We endured the cancellation of critical projects like the FBI building in Prince George’s.
We endured a tumbling stock market and the contraction of the American economy for the first time in years.
We endured the start of a regional and national financial crisis – and Trump Downgrades on the credit of D.C., Maryland, and the nation.
The chaos of this new White House has exacted a daily toll on our people, our economy, and our future. And it has accelerated.
We weren’t in the same place on January 8 as on April 7, Sine Die.
We weren’t in the same place on Sine Die as we are now, on May 20th.
We had to be nimble in the face of uncertainty and courageous in the face of chaos.
This wasn’t just about balancing a budget. It was about weathering two storms: A fiscal crisis and a new White House that attacks our economy.
But Maryland did what we always do when the chips are down – we rallied.
And together, we have delivered a responsible, balanced budget that meets the moment.
We’ve turned a $3 billion inherited deficit into a surplus, while still preserving 8% in the Rainy Day Fund – above recommended levels.
We’ve made over $2 billion in targeted cuts, the largest amount that has been cut from a Maryland budget in 16 years.
As the Trump Administration raises prices, our income tax reform plan will ensure that 94% of Marylanders either get a tax cut or see no change.
This wasn’t easy. And it wasn’t simple.
Our success doesn’t belong to a single person or caucus – it belongs to everyone.
I want to thank my team: our cabinet, Helene Grady, Fagan Harris, Jeremy Baker, Eric Luedtke, and the entire DBM Team;
Our presiding officers: President Ferguson and Speaker Jones and their staff;
Chairs Atterbeary, Barnes, and Guzzone;
All of the stakeholders who testified on this year’s budget throughout the legislative session – and helped us refine our vision.
Now, in many respects, our final budget breaks political convention.
We live in a time of party lines and stark divides.
There’s this myth that if you advocate for cutting spending, you’re a Republican.
If you are willing to raise taxes, you’re a Democrat.
In Maryland, we reject these false choices.
Our decisions don’t fall neatly along red vs. blue boundaries.
We care more about solving problems than scoring points. And our strategy is working.
We’ve created nearly 100,000 jobs – more in two years than my predecessor created in two terms.
We’ve brought unemployment to national lows and brought job growth to national highs.
And even in the face of chaos from Washington, D.C., the rating agency Fitch affirmed Maryland’s AAA Bond Rating.
We refuse to slow our progress in growing Maryland’s economy and winning the decade.
And in addition to our budget, I want to highlight two bills that will help us not just survive this moment but thrive.
First, I want to talk about a bill I introduced in January: The Procurement Reform Act.
Now, procurement reform isn’t sexy. But it is essential to delivering economic growth and building pathways to work, wages, and wealth.
This legislation expands the small business reserve program, so our small businesses aren't sidelined by massive organizations.
We are empowering the Department of Veterans and Military Families to set aside contracts for businesses for veterans, run by veterans.
We are ensuring that minority-owned contractor participation goals are binding when modifications are made to contracts.
We are ensuring that our largest contractors hire partners and workers that reflect the full diversity of Maryland.
And we are updating the application process, so we stop penalizing small, technical mistakes that largely disadvantage small, minority, and women-owned businesses.
This legislation will ensure our small and minority-owned businesses compete on an even playing field. And I am proud to sign it into law.
Second, I want to thank Speaker Jones for her leadership on House Bill 1253, establishing a State Office of Social and Economic Mobility.
Her legislation creates a new cabinet-level agency that will ensure we uphold our commitment to equity in the State of Maryland.
It will be the nerve center of our work to narrow the racial wealth gap, expand homeownership, uplift entrepreneurs of color, and close the foundational disparities that contribute to inequality, from food insecurity to education.
These are the issues I fought for even before I was sworn into office.
They are the priorities our administration will continue to address, with increased focus and intentionality.
And Madam Speaker, we aren’t just going to get this agency up and running, we are going to do it right.
Look: Our work to protect Marylanders from the ravages of Washington, D.C. is only just beginning.
But if there’s one thing we’ve been able to prove this session it’s this: In Maryland, we look danger square in the face and refuse to blink. We face crisis with courage.
You don’t get to sit here in the State House on bill signing day by the charity of others. You get here because you put in the work.
And while it is my signature that will enact these bills into law, it is your hands that hold the pen.
I’m talking about Marylanders like Vinny DeMarco. He has been a champion for affordable health care for decades.
He came to Annapolis to call for an expansion of the Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board. And today, we sign that bill into law.
Vinny, your fingerprints are on the history of our state.
I’m talking about Marylanders like Mia Russell. She came to Annapolis to advocate for a bill that ensures we have AEDs in our public libraries.
The legislation is called the Raymondo Russell Act, named after her late husband. And today, we will sign that bill into law.
Mia, your fingerprints are on the history of our state.
I’m talking about Marylanders like Blanca, Michael, Joseph, Gypsy, and the family and loved ones of Agent Davis Martinez.
Agent Martinez was the victim of a horrific crime. And lost his life in the service of the State of Maryland.
But his family and loved ones turned pain into purpose.
They came to Annapolis to advocate for legislation that would help ensure what happened to Davis would never happen to anyone ever again.
They prove what it means to be Maryland Strong. To look tragedy in the eyes and say: “We can’t rewrite the past, but let’s change the future.”
Today, I will sign the Davis Martinez Public Employee Safety and Health Act into law.
In the spirit of service and progress, I would like to call up Davis’ family to receive today’s ceremonial first pen – because their fingerprints are on the history of our state.
I am so grateful for each and every person in this room. I am proud of the work we have done together.
And now, I have the honor of turning the program over to Senate President Bill Ferguson.